How to Make a Pallet Headboard

It only took about 5 hours of actual work, and 10 hours of stealth hunting, but it’s done. You might be thinking deer hunt, but I’m actually referring to Whitney’s master bedroom headboard pallet project. We’ve seen inspiration for pallet projects everywhere, like PB&J Stories, WebEcoist, and Ana White, and love the rustic worn look.

Whitney originally put this idea into our mood board for the master bedroom, so I knew the plan was in the works, I just wasn’t prepared with the process of actually getting pallets. Of course, now that we have what we need (thanks Electrical Wholesale Supply, Sherwin Williams, and some helpful neighbors), we see them everywhere.Here’s what our driveway looked like at the beginning of this project. We first laid out the pallets since we wanted to lightly brush the wood with a white wash, helping to highlight the natural grain and knots embedded in the wood. We kept the boards in pallet form, making the painting and sanding a bit easier.We were prepared with all sorts of different formulas to give it the look we wanted, but settled on an old, mostly-used can of white latex paint that we watered down to a 1:1 ratio.We weren’t too concerned about an even coat of white wash, we really just wanted it to have a relaxed “shabby” look. We then took 60 grit sandpaper and lightly sanded the pallet boards

I’d heard reports of how difficult it can be to get the pallet boards off of the braces, and knew it’d take some brute force. Unfortunately, I found out that force really wasn’t the answer, since starting at the ends usually resulted in my incredible strength ripping the boards apart. I felt buff, but that didn’t really help us in completing the project.The key to neatly getting the pallet wood off the pallets themselves was using a sawsall to cut through nails on the ends first. I really like that this method leaves in some of the nails too – gives it an authentic look.Then, once the sides were freed, I simply took a couple of hammers and pryed the center nails up. Whitney then pulled any nails that protruded and stacked the wood in order of board width.After carrying the pallet boards upstairs, we taped up lines of where our head board would be, making sure to find the center of the wall. We wanted the headboard to only come out 2-3 inches on each side of the mattress, so we marked where the headboard would end.Then, using a stud finder, we marked with tape where the studs were, so that we could use as few nails as possible to hold up the pallet boards. I actually taped up a couple of longer pieces of wood that I picked up out of the Home Depot Cull bin to help us easily see the ends of the headboard, and be able to measure and cut them accurately.Whitney wanted a floor to ceiling effect to help give our room more height, and since she didn’t want to risk having any funny cuts at the top of the headboard, we decided to start at the top of the wall. Ideally, we tried to vary the pattern, so that all the pieces didn’t end in the same place on the wall. Then, using a pneumatic finishing nailer with 1.5” nails, we put two to four nails in each board to hold it up, using the wall studs as supports.We really tried to keep the same width size of the board consistent across each individual row, spacing out our really wide pieces throughout. We moved the blue tape down as we went, since gaps and holes are just part of the beast – and we didn’t wan’t the blue strips peaking out from between the boards.Obviously the master bedroom project will continue, and we’ll keep you updated throughout the week as we progress. We’re being a bit ambitious, but we’ve got plans to make a new duvet cover and start on some window treatments. You’ll be the first to find out how it all looks together, stay tuned.

How awesome! And I need to use the saw idea to get my pallets broken down! For something so simple, those babies are VERY well put together! Ripping the boards off of those things is like pulling teeth from a dinosaur!

Good question, we actually discussed this as we were putting the wall up. If we’re lucky the new owners would ask us to keep it there, but if not, we’d just pry off the boards, fill the holes, and touch it up with a bit of paint. I almost did put another piece of wood behind it instead of attaching it right to the wall, but the finishing nails are so small that I don’t think it did much damage. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see! Fingers crossed that we won’t move for a looooong time.

Saw your post on Craftomaniac! Loved your mobile! I’m jealous of all your garage sale scores! I occasionally hit the crafty sale jackpot and can get tons of fabric, supplies and etc. for CHEAP. I haven’t been out in awhile, maybe I should this weekend!

WOW! I’m in love. There was a home in our Parade of Homes that used hard wood floors along their wall behind the bed…. I like this idea so much more! The character of the wood is beautiful and my hubby has a TON of pallets lying around! I need to do this in my room Thanks for sharing

This turned out amazing. You did such an incredible job. Thanks for linking tothe Home Decor and Organizing Link Party. I featured this on my blog today. Come by and grab a featured button if you’d like.

Totally cool. It’s amazing what people can do with pallets! Found you via a link party this week, and looking forward to poking around at your other projects. So far I’m totally impressed with how your bedroom is coming along. Looking forward to seeing what the headboard looks like behind a bed!

This is absolutely stunning. We are looking to buy a king size bed, but didn’t want to buy a whole new bedroom set. I can’t wait to show this idea to the hubby! Thanks for sharing. I’d love for you to stop by and link up to my Share the Wealth Wednesday Link Party at http://www.laughloveandcraft.com. I’m your newest follower.

I’m in love with what you created! It is gorgeous! I’m hosting a Fabulous Fall party over at Not So Simple Housewife and I’d love for you to link this up! We are celebrating Fall and giving me and everybody else some great inspiration. We are looking for crafts, decor, food, and more! I’d love for you to add this and any other fall posts you may have!

Just found you from Apartment Therapy. This is gorgeous, thanks for the instructions and pictures- it makes me think I could actually do this myself! I love the look of pallet wood, and I work at a thrift store for home improvement & architectural salvage, so I could certainly get my hands on as much as I need.

One question though – isn’t the wood rough to lean up against? Doesn’t it snag the sheets and pillows? Or did you sand it a good deal and eliminate that problem?

Stopping by after finding you via (hmmm, via where? I can’t remember!) anyway searching out all the talented people who made pallet headboards. Gearing up for making a couple in my sons room. Love your’s as well so adding it to my pile of inspiration!

It looks nice and rustic. My concern about doing this myself is in its practical use at night. I would be afraid that I would roll over, drag my hand or arm across the headboard, and end up with some nasty splinters embedded in my flesh. Unless it is sanded well, and a sealant is painted onto it, I would be concerned about headboard splinters, and about the wood damaging the sheets and pillowcases that rub against it.

Danger: I don’t want to throw any cold water BUT. That pic of someone hitting 1 hammer with another brought back an old memory. I did that same thing 48 years ago and still have a tiny piece of steel in my wrist as a reminder. I was lucky. It could have been my eye or someones eye standing close by. The face of the hammer heads are very hard and do beak like glass at time. I use a heavy rubber hammer any time I feel I need to do this sort of thing.

I like your work. I only wish I had your imagination. Work safe and keep up the good work.

[…] them into pretty much anything. Not to mention they are free, call me cheap. First there was the pallet headboard and then the pallet mirror. Now, it’s a holiday pallet door mat. It’s rather simple really. […]